Don't scrub your skin while using retinol products. Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). You should use a dose that's about the size of a pea.
Retinol cream and serum work best all over the face. So, yes, put it on a dark spot you want to disappear or wrinkle you want to smooth, but also put it everywhere else because it can prevent future signs of aging.
Once your skin is dry, pump out a pea-sized amount of your retinol serum. You'll want to work outwards from the center of your face, smoothing the product over your nose, cheeks, down the chin and onto the neck and finally the forehead.
The most common complaint people share when they start using retinol is that for some people, it causes their facial skin to peel or flake. As we mentioned above, the retinol reactions cause skin cells to die off quicker than usual which can make the skin seem flaky.
To be specific, you cannot mix retinol with AHAs (Glycolic Acid Toner, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid Treatment, Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel), BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum, C-50 Blemish Night Treatment), PHA Toner.
If you use it consistently, it can increase cell turnover and exfoliate dead skin, resulting in an even, glowing complexion in 8–12 weeks. To reduce the risk of irritation, we usually recommend that you avoid applying tretinoin treatments to your nose.
It shrinks dilated pores and improves cell turnover within the pores so they are less likely to clog and become blackheads and whiteheads.
Note: Tretinoin should never be applied and then washed off because it's meant to soak into the skin where it can start to work on problem areas. It's unsafe to use tretinoin under the eyes or on the lips. It's too strong for these sensitive areas and could cause serious eye irritation if it gets in or near the eyes.
Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
Believe it or not, Vitamin C Eye Cream or Retinol Eye Cream can also function as lip moisturizers. Not only can eye creams be used on the delicate skin around your eyes, but they are also ideal for other sensitive places, like your lips.
Apply a night cream with retinol
One of the best treatments for wrinkles around the mouth is night cream formulated with retinol, as it works alongside the skin's natural production of collagen. No7 Pure Retinol Night Cream helps to visibly smooth the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth and face in just two weeks.
Retinol also helps stimulate more collagen synthesis, which keeps the cells young. This may plump up the skin around the pores, causing the pores themselves to look less noticeable.
Retinol helps with blackheads and whiteheads and evens skin tones. Studies show that applying retinol cream reduces pore size and keeps them cleaner, emptying the impurities that otherwise give an oversized appearance.
While prescription-strength retinoids may have an effect in a matter of weeks, it can take up to 6 months for OTC retinols to produce the same results. You may notice a difference in conditions like acne after 12 weeks, but sun damage and signs of aging can take much, much longer to improve.
Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.
Yes, you can safely put retinol creams on your neck. “Retinol can sometimes cause redness or irritation as a side effect, but it is worth the effort. Fortunately, there are beginner formulations that can get skin acclimated gradually,” Dr. Schlessinger says.
Mix your retinol with your moisturizer, or apply your moisturizer first and then your retinol. Always use sunscreen the morning after you apply retinol. Your skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so it's important to protect it.
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
If you used products with potent actives such as retinols or strong acids on your skin overnight, we recommend that you cleanse your face in the morning as a precaution.
If you stop retinol and do not begin a prescription retinoid, the benefit of preventing acne will go away. The skin cycle of cells being “born” at the base of the skin and moving to the top, dying and desquamating into the surrounding environment takes about 4-6 weeks.
Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)
Retinol is also an ingredient that should be left to absorb sufficiently into the skin before following up with another product. “It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product.
You'll likely want to use retinol once or twice per week initially and work up to using it more than that. The reason: Retinol can initially be drying, especially if you have sensitive skin, so it's a good idea to give your skin some time to adjust to the change in your routine.
Because retinol is a strong ingredient, using it under your eyes has the potential to cause irritation. The under eye area is one of the most delicate areas on your skin, so it's best to proceed with caution when using the ingredient.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products on the same area as tretinoin: Any other topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (eg, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur).